No, this is not a post about when it’s safe to promote
yourself as a writer and when you should not. I’ll leave that to group hosts to
do. This blog is about character ethics, and how they affect a work. ;)

The word ethics means, according to Wikipedia, “moral
principles that govern a person’s or group’s behavior” or “the moral
correctness of specified conduct.” Loosely defined, it just means morals.
Further synonyms are beliefs, integrities, consciences, principles, and values.

Every
fictional character comes with his or her own belief system, whether simply
defined for a briefly appearing secondary character or an elaborate system for
a major character in a book series. This can be a religious faith, a non-religious
system of how justice is defined and other characters are judged, or anything
in between. Half the fun of plotting out a new main character is what kinds of
beliefs to give them. What code of ethics will they live by, or be provoked
into action on behalf of?

In more
than a few books, the heroes and villains are easy to determine from their
respective code of ethics. Those with just systems and a love for doing what is
right are good, while those that have no moral center are clearly bad. But a truly
well done character doesn’t have a black or a white code of ethics, but some
shade of grey, whether good guy or bad guy. My characters run the spectrum on
ethics, from my steadfast Promise Me heroine Sar to my oft times crude and
brutal antihero Lash. But even in those works, it’s easy to know with whom I,
as the writer, am hoping the reader will identify. So what are some key
important character ethics to have?

Sense of Right and Wrong

Whether villain or hero, secondary
character or main character, it’s important that each new being that I create is
able to recognize right from wrong, even if they all don’t necessarily draw the
line the same place. That sense can be skewed, sure, or even opposite what it
should be, if the character in question is a villain. But a character that
views good and evil exactly the same is either insane, or poorly done. Even
Lady Macbeth, the Shakespearean murderess, had the moral sense to be guilty
over her “damned spot.”

At Least One Character Flaw

How many people in real life are
absolutely perfect? Close to none. Even the heroines Sleeping Beauty and Snow
White had character flaws, and Superman had his kryptonite and his inability to
lie. For a heroine in a work of fiction, readers will be better able to
identify with a woman who has some weaknesses, and doesn’t always do everything
right. Flaws give a feeling of reality and depth to a character, as well as
help drive plot twists within a work. In my Promise Me series, Danial the
vampire has arrogance and lack of self-control, Theo the werecougar has wrath
and naivety, and Sar has both vanity and an overdeveloped urge to save people
in trouble, often endangering herself.

For a villain, several character flaws are definitely a good
idea. Evil behavior is much more horrifying if we can see the dark weaknesses
that brought it out. Lash has many flaws in his psyche; insecurity, bluntness,
rashness, violent tendencies, among others. Readers identify with him because
they understand where he is coming from, even if they can’t condone his
actions.

At Least One Character Strength

Every character needs
strengths, something positive that the reader can cheer for during the story.
While bravery, steadfastness, and honor are all good, it’s that much more
satisfying when a character puts a singular talent or attribute into play to
stop the forces coming against them. Who didn’t feel a deep satisfaction when
Katniss finally gets a bow in the Hunger Games and puts it to use in her
defense? Who didn’t cheer Harry Potter when he was able to use magic to fend
off Dementors with his father’s patronus?

Believable Past

Ideally,
this past is also a source of empathy for the reader and creates interest in
the character. In a novel, this past can be pages long. In a short story, this
can be summed up in a sentence. For example, take “She loved her mother, even
if the woman had abandoned her to the streets when she was twelve, and the fate
she had met there had been a cruel one.” At once, we are sorry for the
protagonist, angry at her mother for being cruel to her child, and eager to see
not only what kind of hardship the girl endured, but also what that damage has
made her into as an adult.

Some recent book by Tara

Tara Fox Hall’s writing credits include nonfiction, horror,
suspense, action-adventure, erotica, and contemporary and historical paranormal
romance. She is the author of the paranormal action-adventure Lash series and
the vampire romantic suspense Promise Me series. Tara divides her free time
unequally between writing novels and short stories, chainsawing firewood,
caring for stray animals, sewing cat and dog beds for donation to animal
shelters, and target practice.

Blurb:
Shocked at Danial’s betrayal, Sarelle returns to her old home to
consider her options. Yet even as Sar plans a reconciliation with
Danial, Terian arrives, confessing his desire. When Theo witnesses
Terian and Sar kiss, he angrily confronts Sar, leading to startling
consequences. Will Sar’s heart choose Danial, Terian,…or Theo?

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Chalet-ebook/dp/B009L3HZXWBlurb:
When Madeline honors her mother's dying wish and returns to The Chalet,
she discovers the true secret of the old mansion; a seductive spirit
whose undying love has waited decades to claim her for its own

Awesome post. IO have heard before that "authors have it easy" but I am sorry I have to disagree. your brains are going a million miles an hour, all day every day, imagination flowing no matter the time of day or night. I have mad respect the deeper I delve into an authors brain such as yours. the imaginative juices it takes to come up with the things you do such as werecougars, were foxes, weresnakes, and so on well I could NEVER do it, I could NEVER transport someone from their reality to a seductive, dangerous, wonderful dream type state. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!! xoxoxo

Tara, you definitely live up to it! :) Im always excited when i see a new book by you. You write wonderful books! And im so excited to try Jennys books! Ive checked them out. So looking forward to digging in. You know one of my favorite things about meeting authors? All there books! Im an addict. lol Thanks ladies! Best wishes and many blessings to you!shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com